# NTSB GAA18CA286: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N63794, Eden Prairie, MN, May 16, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 16, 2018, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Eden Prairie, MN
- Coordinates: 44.82722, -93.461112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8272&lon=-93.4611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97277/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97277
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA286

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during a flight with a check pilot, while landing in crosswind conditions, the tailwheel-equipped biplane veered left. The pilot overcorrected with right rudder, and the biplane ground looped to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 7 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 28R.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during a flight with a check-pilot, while landing in crosswind conditions, the tailwheel-equipped biplane veered to the left. The pilot overcorrected with right rudder and the biplane ground looped to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 7 knots. The pilot landed on runway 28R.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63794](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63794), registered now, S/N 75-3739 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1(PT17) (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-3739
- Year built: 1942
- Airframe hours: 1559.59
- Engines: Continental W670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2018
- Departed: FCM, Minneapolis, MN
- Destination: FCM, Minneapolis, MN
- Airport: FCM, Flying Cloud, runway 28R, 3,898 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2016; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,030 total, 3,880 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days
- Check pilot; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KFCM, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20180516005469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180516005469A), May 16, 2018: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Eden Prairie, MN, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Had control of aircraft during entire flight. First landing resulted in a group loop and caused substantial damage to aircraft.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97277. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (1) (item 1, .PDF, 849 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(1)-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (2) (item 2, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(2)-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 292 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.